Wolfsburg dismiss talk of Kevin De Bruyne joining Manchester United

Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking has played down Manchester United's reported interest in Kevin De Bruyne as an "acknowledgement of our work," amid speculation that Louis van Gaal is closely monitoring the midfielder.

De Bruyne, 23, was one of the stars of the Bundesliga during the first half of the season, with his three goals and 10 assists helping his side up to second in the table.

The Belgium international, who joined Wolfsburg from Chelsea in January 2014, is under contract until 2019 but has been linked with a return to the Premier League or a switch to Bayern Munich in recent months.

On Wednesday, Sport Bild reported that Van Gaal has been keeping an eye on De Bruyne's progress and has made him a summer transfer target.

"I know that a few clubs are interested in him," De Bruyne's agent, Patrick De Koster, told the paper.

Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking, though, does not believe the player will leave the club after only 18 months and added: "It's normal that clubs like Manchester United are interested in top players. That's an acknowledgement for his and our work."

However, speaking to Bleacher Report, the midfielder's Belgium teammate Axel Witsel said that "De Bruyne has the qualities to one day play for one of the top clubs of Europe" and that he also likes to play with him "because he has good qualities."